The present invention provides the following components a) and b) for use in the treatment or prevention of pain in a mammal by co-administration of the components:a) a first component comprising a compound whose activity results in direct or indirect stimulation of alpha 2 adrenergic receptor activity, andb) a second component comprising an alpha 1 adrenergic receptor antagonistwherein the dosage of the first component necessary to provide a given level of analgesia is less than that for a similarly affected mammal administered with the first component as the sole analgesic agent, or wherein the amount of sedation caused by the administration of a dose of the first component effective to cause half maximal analgesia is less than that caused in a similarly affected mammal administered with the first component in a dose effective to cause half maximal analgesia in the absence of the second component.
